Within the Trenches

Ep 626 features Jim Schmidt, father of Gabby Petito, first responder, and secretary of the Gabby Petito Foundation. This is a special crossover episode with the Safety Gap podcast where I was a guest co-host with Karin Marquez, Chief Public Safety Brand Officer with RapidSOS. Learn more about the Gabby Petito Foundation and find resources at https://gabbypetitofoundation.org . If you or someone yo...

Ep 625 features Phillip Daniels, a 911 Administrator, and Deputy Chief of Desoto Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – How Philip transitioned from working in an alligator farm to a lasting career in public safety The challenges and surprises faced when moving from patrol to dispatch Stories of real-life trauma, resilience, an...

Ep 624 features Victoria, a 911 professional out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – Navigating the massive APCO conference and its unique vendor hall experiences, including the mobile dispatch center "Thor" and wellness puppies Victoria's journey from loss prevention to 9-1-1 dispatch and her first intense calls, including a tornado emergency and a de...

Ep 623 features Mandi, a 911 professional out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – Mandi's journey from a small Texas town to nearly 25 years in public safety, including jumping into dispatch right out of high school The challenges of moving from a tiny agency to a much larger city call center Honest discussion about early on-the-job "training" and the...

Ep 622 features Jennifer, a 911 professional and Coordinator out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Jennifer's first ever experience at a national public safety conference and her takeaways The value of networking, vendor halls, and unexpected wellness moments (like puppy therapy!) Transitioning from the military to dispatch, and what it's like...

Ep 621 features Brianna, a 911 professional out of Pennsylvania. Episode topics – Brianna's unconventional start in public safety and how an EMT background led to a dispatch career Behind-the-scenes of dispatcher training, early challenges, and handling life-or-death calls Discussion of high-stress incidents, including a hostage situation that blurred the line between hoax and reality The evolving...

Ep 620 features Heidi, a 911 professional with Anoka County ECC out of Minnesota. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – The realities and challenges of starting a career in 911 dispatch decades ago How conference networking and volunteering can impact your career and growth The drastic changes in technology from paper logs to AI-assisted call management The...

Ep 619 features Charles, a 911 professional and CTO at NVRDD, Massachusetts. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Charles' path from chef and EMT to emergency dispatcher Translating soft skills and multitasking from the kitchen to the comms center The intensity and training required to handle life-and-death calls Handling emotional impact, tough calls, and...

Ep 618 features Morgan, an Education Manager for Pafford Emergency Medical Services out of Mississippi. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – How Morgan's early experiences shaped her passion for EMS and dispatch The realities of dispatcher training, including unforgettable first calls The importance of mentorship and building a supportive team culture Deali...

Ep 617 features Hayleigh, a 911 professional with NWECC out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Transitioning from the car business to emergency dispatch after a personal tragedy Navigating the overwhelm and training process as a complete newcomer First experiences on the dispatch floor, from multi-screen chaos to working holidays The realities o...

Ep 616 features Sydney, a 911 professional with NWECC out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Why Texas heat makes summer calls to 911 so unpredictable What it's really like starting a dispatch career with zero experience How intense calls, like suicide attempts and high-speed pursuits, shape dispatchers on the job The mental and emotional hurdle...

Ep 615 features Chief Manoushagian of NWECC in Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Chief Manoushagian's start in public safety as a dispatcher and his early struggles The transition from dispatch to police officer and the impact of military service Learning from failure and the importance of resilience in emergency communications Building stronger r...

Ep 614 features Karla, a Center Manager with Chagrin Valley 911 Dispatch out of Ohio. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – The history and eerie reputation of the Chagrin Valley Dispatch complex Karla's accidental entry into public safety and how her hairstylist background helps on the job True stories from Karla's early days at a single-seat dispatch cente...

Ep 613 features Jen, a Quality Assurance and Training Manager with Chagrin Valley 911 Dispatch out of Ohio. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Jen's path from criminal justice student to finding a lasting career in dispatch. The highs and lows of dispatcher training, including tough trainers and the importance of mentorship. Real stories about adapting to...

Ep 612 features Lani, a CTO and 911 professional with Round Rock PD, TX. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Lani's unique journey from caring for police K9s to answering life-changing emergency calls The biggest challenges and lessons of 911 call taker training How previous customer service experience prepped Lani for high-stress calls Personal stories fr...

Ep 611 features Emma, a 911 professional with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Emma's deep-rooted family history in law enforcement and public safety Honest reflections on the challenges and unique support of being raised in a first responder household Transitioning from a paramedic dream to a career in dispa...

Ep 610 features Ginny, a 911 professional with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – How Ginny was inspired from a young age to serve her community and what led her to a career in dispatch. The intense learning curve and initial shocks of her early days on the job. The importance of empathy, intuition, and the "hu...

Ep 609 features Tiffany, a 911 professional and NENA Gold Line Scholarship recipient out of Utah. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – How attending national conferences transformed Tiffany's perspective on her career and renewed her passion for 911 dispatch. Her honest account of struggling with work culture, lack of support, and the challenges of not fitt...

Ep 608 features Emily, a 911 supervisor with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Emily's unique work schedule and the infamous Dupont shift explained Her journey from retail to public safety and what drew her to dispatch The importance of support systems both at home and in the workplace Memorable and bizarre ca...

Ep 607 features Michelle, a 911 professional with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – How Michelle stumbled into dispatch work during college and why it stuck with her The impact of working high-stress 911 calls and handling traumatic incidents Balancing personal wellness with the demands of public safety and le...

Ep 606 features Desiree, a 911 professional with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC. Episode topics – Desiree's journey from curious high school grad to experienced 911 dispatcher The intimidating and unique environment of a dispatch center Handling tough calls, including life-or-death moments and emotional aftermath How public safety work changes you as a person—both toughening and teach...

Ep 605 features Shanna, a 911 shift supervisor and CTO with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – What it's really like starting out as a 911 dispatcher and walking into dispatch for the first time The unique skills and "dispatcher ear" needed to juggle intense calls and multitasking Emotional impact and coping wi...

Ep 604 features Emily, a 911 dispatcher and CTO with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Emily's journey from a business management job during COVID to becoming a 911 dispatcher The challenges and surprises of training and taking her first emergency calls High-intensity moments, including chases and memorable ca...

Ep 603 features Sheriff Griffin out of Henderson County in North Carolina. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Sheriff Griffin's journey from rural volunteer firefighter to county sheriff The excitement, challenge, and camaraderie that fuels a career in public safety Memorable and impactful calls that shaped his career The vital role dispatchers play on th...

Ep 602 features Hunter, a 911 Professional out of South Carolina. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Hunter's early start in public safety as a 14-year-old volunteer firefighter and how it shaped his career path The transition from field responder to 911 dispatcher, and the differences between working on scene and behind the headset Memorable and difficul...